Tim Minchin · THE MATILDA THE MUSICAL STORY Stratford-Upon-Avon | West End, London | Broadway, New York | US Tour | Australia | Toronto, Canada The RSC’s Matilda The Musical website has tickets available for the West End , Broadway , Sydney and the US Tour . It also has slightly less Minchin-centric information, than this page, in the form of videos, cast and production information, clips of the cast recordings, all their social media accounts and more. But as a head-start here they are on Twitter: @MatildaMusical , @MatildaBroadway and @MatildainOz . Teachers and children will find many creative writing resources on the RSC Education Department’s interactive website MatildaSchoolResources.com . If you still want more then Angry (Feet), Tim’s official fansite, has a Matilda sub-forum . Information regarding the performance rights for Matilda The Musical can be found here . Matilda the Musical (in 20 minutes) will be released for schools and amateur youth groups (i.e. performers aged 16 years or younger) in the UK and Ireland ONLY from 4th March, 2014.

This version will be available for a limited time prior to the official release by MTI of Matilda the Musical Junior Version (currently in development). Tim with the Stratford-upon-Avon Matildas: Kerry Ingram, Adrianna Bertola and Josie Griffiths (Original production cast from Stratford-upon-Avon November 2010) Matilda Roald Dahl ’s children’s novel Matilda was first published in 1988 with illustrations by Quentin Blake . It is the story of a very bright and rebellious little girl, with special powers. Matilda’s parents, Mr and Mrs Wormwood, have no time for her and treat her as a nuisance. She spends most of her time reading books from the library astonishingly quickly, whilst they watch the telly and Mr Wormwood sells dodgy used cars. At school things are no better as despite the care and support of her teacher, the lovely Miss Honey, Matilda has to contend with the terrifying headmistress Miss Trunchbull who rules the school with cruelty and fear. Matilda fights against the injustices at home and at school.

Eventually she decides the grown-ups should be taught a lesson and in the process discovers her supernatural powers Chapter One: Stratford-Upon-Avon In December 2008, director Matthew Warchus approached Tim about writing the music and lyrics for a stage musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s famous book, to be produced by The Royal Shakespeare Company. Tim had little hesitation: not only was the chance to write for the RSC impossible to resist, but as a life long fan of Dahl, he had – coincidentally – attempted to secure the stage rights to Matilda ten years earlier, when he was writing for theatre in Perth, WA. Working from Kelly’s script adaptation, Tim wrote his first draft in the middle of 2009, with the first workshop production taking place in London in September. A significant restructuring and a short period of rewriting was undertaken in the autumn, and – with Tim on tour in Australia – a second workshop took place in November. Over the new year big changes took place, characters were discarded, songs were binned, scenes were conflated, and inevitable crisis talks ensued, but not until Tim returned from Australia in March did the final push begin.

Warchus, Kelly, Minchin, RSC dramaturge Jeanie O’Hare, and legendary musical supervisor Chris Nightingale spent an intense two months renovating the script. The final workshop production took place at the end of June, further adjustments were made, and rehearsals started in September 2010. The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Photo by Kathryn Sinnott Following the dress rehearsal on the 6th November 2010 the show was performed to its first public audience, three days later, on the 9th at the Courtyard theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon and was extremely well received. The previews continued for a month, with everyone working hard to tighten it up and tweak it into perfection. Finally Matilda, A Musical opened on the 9th December with the industry press in heavy attendance. The audience rose delightedly to their feet at the end and the reviews that followed in the national press were wonderful. The production was sold out over Christmas and throughout January until the run ended on January 30th. A few days before the end of the run Matilda was awarded the Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical.

These awards recognise excellence for theatre throughout the UK and are selected by a group of professional theatre critics. The Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical (new or revival) was presented by Matt Wolf, at the Prince of Wales Theatre and was accepted by director Matthew Warchus and some of the children from the cast. There were now high hopes for a transfer to London’s West End and for a cast recording of the show. Chapter Two: London’s West End The four Matildas – Cleo Demetriou, Kerry Ingram, Eleanor Worthington Cox and Sophia Kiely – photo by Manuel Harlan Tim visited the Cambridge whilst the outside was being adorned with Matilda-ness and scaffolding… On the 30th March 2011 the Royal Shakespeare Company confirmed there would be a West End transfer in autumn 2011 for an open-ended run but there was a suspenseful wait until May 19th for all the exciting details.

Then, at last, with the new grown up title and shiny new artwork: Matilda The Musical could stand tall and announce that it was heading to the Cambridge Theatre, in London’s West End, previewing from Tuesday 18th* October 2011 with an initial booking period to 12th February 2012. * Following a press release , on 29th September, this was amended to previewing from Tuesday 25th October 2011 with opening night on Thursday 24th November. In May 2011 Tim worked on the cast recording with the original Stratford-upon-Avon cast at Air Studios, Highgate. This was released on Roald Dahl Day; 13th September 2011. This long clamoured for recording is available from the RSC Shop and the Matilda The Musical website where you can listen to preview clips of the tracks. There was an iTunes release on the 18th October.

The casting announcements came in two parts: First in August the adults and Matilda’s school friends and then on Dahl Day the four young actresses who will be playing the eponymous Matilda were revealed at a press launch at the London Eye. (See the photo below). With opening night in the West End fast approaching Tim talks here , on his blog, about the cast recording and the preparations for the move to the Cambridge Theatre. In late October 2011, as Matilda The Musical had its first preview, Tim and Eleanor Worthington Cox, one of the four young actresses playing the title role of Matilda, spookily graced the front cover of Time Out London’s Halloween issue. Inside the magazine Tim talks about Matilda The Musical with Time Out London’s theatre editor Caroline McGinn. You can read the full interview here and see an additional photo from the shoot on the Time Out blog here . Tim and Eleanor Worthington Cox spookily on Time Out London’s Halloween 2011 front cover. Photographer: Jay Brooks. Hair and Make up: Dorita Nissen using M.A.C.

At the Evening Standard Awards ceremony, hosted by Dame Edna Everage, on Sunday 20th November, Matilda the Musical won the Ned Sherrin Award for Best Musical. It was presented by Miranda Hart and collected by Tim, Dennis Kelly and Matthew Warchus. In their round up of the award winners The Evening Standard gave reasons for their choice: THE NED SHERRIN AWARD FOR BEST MUSICAL TIM MINCHIN, DENNIS KELLY AND MATTHEW WARCHUS for Matilda The Musical “The quest for a great new musical is over, at least for now: London (and before long, presumably, the world) has just that in Matilda, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s deliriously funny and moving adaptation of Roald Dahl that has arrived on the West End following cheers and not a few tears on the occasion of its premiere last December in Stratford-upon-Avon.

That rare show pitched ostensibly at children that lucky adults in their midst will doubtless enjoy even more, Matilda comes down on the side of love and literacy as well as burp jokes, bad hair, and a bravura performance from Bertie Carvel, playing a battleaxe of a headmistress with a voice by way of Hannibal Lecter. (Carvel made the ES shortlist for best actor.) The altogether buoyant score is from Australian comedian Tim Minchin, marking his musical theatre debut amid a creative team (director Matthew Warchus included) that finds everyone involved at the top of their game. Small wonder the opening song is entitled “Miracle”: it takes one to know one.” You can view a short video of Tim, Dennis and Matthew receiving the award here . Matilda’s Opening Night Tim with family and friend Jenny Davis on Opening Night (Photo – Dan Wooller) Following the month of previews and a week of press attendance Matilda The Musical opened, to great excitement, in the West End at the Cambridge Theatre on Thursday 24th November, 2011, with more press and many stars in attendance.

At the end of the performance the whole audience jumped to their feet to give the actors of all ages and the musicians an extremely long and impressive standing ovation. Again the critical acclaim and outstanding reviews rolled in. A selection of the opening night pics have been added to Photos and there’s footage of the evening in the Videos section below. Just a week later, on December 2nd 2011, at London’s Café de Paris, the Whatsonstage Award nominations were announced. Matilda The Musical received an amazing NINE nominations! These UK theatre industry awards are nominated by and voted for purely by theatregoers and the ticket-buying public. The Awards took place at the West End’s Prince of Wales Theatre on Sunday 19th February 2012. Matilda the Musical triumphed, winning Best New Musical – Tim Minchin & Dennis Kelly; Best Set Designer – Rob Howell; Best Choreographer – Peter Darling and Tim won The London Newcomer of the Year for his work on Matilda.

“With 35% of the votes in his category, Australian comedian Tim Minchin, making his musical debut providing the show’s music and lyrics, was a commanding winner for London Newcomer of the Year.” Whatsonstage.com At the end of February 2012 the UK and US theatre press announced that Matilda would transfer to Broadway, premièring at an, as yet, unspecified New York theatre in early 2013. On the 15th March 2012, the 2012 Olivier Award nominations were announced . Matilda The Musical received TEN nominations – the maximum possible! The Olivier awards are the UK’s most prestigious theatre awards, recognising excellence in professional theatre in London shows. The Awards will be announced on the 15th April at the Royal Opera House. In the run up to the Olivier awards the BBC’s David Sillito went to meet three of the Matildas: Sophia, Cleo and Eleanor at the Cambridge Theatre in London. You can view video here . On the night Matilda skipped away with SEVEN Laurence Olivier Awards, a record haul for a single show, including Best New Musical.

Rob Howells won Best Set Design and Simon Baker Best Sound Design. Best Director went to Matthew Warchus with Peter Darling claiming Best Theatre Choreographer. Members of the cast triumphed too with Best Actor in a Musical for Bertie Carvel and the four Matildas: Cleo Demetriou, Kerry Ingram Eleanor Worthington Cox & Sophia Kiely sharing the award for Best Actress in a Musical, breaking the record for the youngest Olivier Award-holders. If you missed it you can see a few photos of the evening in the Photos section below and there’s the Guardian Oliviers 2012 roundup video to give you a feel for the event which features interviews with Tim, Dennis Kelly and the Matildas. Team Matilda at the Oliviers 2012, L-R Sophia Kiely, Eleanor Worthington Cox, Cleo Demetriou, Kerry Ingram with Dennis Kelly, Tim, and Bertie Carvel – photo by Helen Maybanks Just a couple of weeks later Matilda was honoured at the 16th annual South Bank Sky Arts Awards, winning the theatre prize. There is a short interview with Tim on the night here .

On September 7th 2012, Guinness World Records, accepted as the global authority on record-breaking achievement announced the theatre additions to the 57th edition of the world’s best-selling copyright book, Guinness World Records 2013. Matilda The Musical secured the Guinness World Record for Most Laurence Olivier award wins. In November 2012, Matilda won Favourite Family Show in the TheatrePeople Awards 2012 with Tim and Dennis making a short acceptance video . In December, the same year, folowing nine nominations, Matilda won five 2012 Broadway World: UK Awards including Best Musical. Inspired by Matilda’s love of books and storytelling, in January 2013, the RSC Education Department launched Write Here Write Now with Matilda , an interactive website designed to encourage children to become avid readers, creative writers and playwrights themselves. There are filmed interviews with Tim and Dennis Kelly, who wrote the script adaptation, and as they bring their storytelling methods to life, with the help of comprehensive teacher notes, they aim to give teachers and children insights into the creative processes involved in writing and staging Matilda.

In December 2013 Matilda was nominated for Best West End Show, for a second time, in the 2014 Whatsonstage Awards . In 2013 Les Mis just pipped her to the post but on 23rd February, 2014, at The Prince of Wales Theatre, London, Matilda swept to victory. The voting breakdown is here . On March 23rd, 2014, with a host of stars in attendance, the 1000th West End performance of Matilda The Musical took place! There’s a video of the event in the Videos section. Chapter Three: New York, Broadway The Broadway Matildas – Oona Laurence, Milly Shapiro, Sophia Gennusa and Bailey Ryon On July 19th 2012 the Royal Shakespeare Company announced that Matilda The Musical would open in Broadway’s Shubert Theatre, with previews starting on the 4th March 2013 and opening night scheduled for 11th April 2013.

In November 2012 the producers announced the four young actresses who’d alternate playing the feisty heroine, Matilda, all of whom would be making their Broadway debuts: Oona Laurence, Milly Shapiro, Bailey Ryon and Sophia Gennua! Also making his Broadway debut was Bertie Carvel, reprising his West End role as the fearsome headmistress Miss Trunchbull, for which he won the 2012 Olivier for Best Actor in a Musical. The casting of the principal roles and the ensemble was announced in December 2012 with Lauren Ward, reprising her West End role as Miss Honey. The full Broadway cast list can be found here . Opening Night on Broadway Following months of preparation and rehearsals, the New York production of Matilda The Musical opened at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway on the 11th April 2013 to delighted cheers and a full standing ovation from the star-studded audience and press. The show immediately saw a host of marvellously glowing reviews across the board. Opening night on Broadway. Matthew Warchus, Dennis Kelly and Tim joined the cast on stage.

Photo by Ellie Kurttz Some more opening night pics can be found in Photos and there’s some footage of the evening at the end of the Videos section below. A raft of major US theatre award nominations quickly followed: TWELVE 2013 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Tim; SEVEN Drama Desk Award nominations including Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Lyrics for Tim; FIVE Outer Critics Circle Award nominations including Outstanding New Musical; Two Drama League Award nominations including Outstanding New Musical and SEVEN Broadway.Com Audience Choice Award nominations including Favorite New Musical and with THREE of Tim’s songs in the Favorite Song category! The award wins rolled in throughout May 2013: The New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical; two Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards including Favorite Song for Tim’s ‘When I Grow Up’; two Outer Critics Circle Awards; the Theatre World Award for Best Debut Performance for Bertie Carvel and five Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Lyrics for Tim. The full list of award nominations and wins an be found in the Awards section.

The 67th Annual Tony Awards ceremony took place at Radio City Music Hall, New York on June 9th 2013. At the glamorous and star studded evening Matilda The Musical won FOUR Tony Awards: Gabriel Ebert, who plays Mr Wormwood, won Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. Best Book of a Musical went to Dennis Kelly. Rob Howell claimed Best Scenic Design of a Musical and Hugh Vanstone Best Lighting Design of a Musical. The four actresses who play the title role in Matilda The Musical on Broadway: Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro received Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre. Matilda had now danced away with a phenomenal 47 awards, so far, in Stratford-Upon-Avon, London and New York! The Broadway production of Matilda The Musical released its own original cast recording, in September 2013, and earned a prestigious nomination for the 2014 Grammys, for Best Musical Theater Album. By the end of 2013, Matilda on Broadway had proudly made it onto a slew of Top 10 and Best Theatre Show Lists .

US Tour The First National US Tour of Matilda The Musical, began in May 2015, with technical rehearsals and performances in New Haven at the Shubert Theater. The tour then opened officially at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles on the 7th June, 2015, with Tim in attendance. After enthralling LA audiences the show headed off to cities all over the country! You’ll find the cast list here and some images of opening night here and in the Photos section on this page. Sydney Performing at the Sydney Media Launch, October 2014 – Photo by James Morgan On the 26th February 2014, NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell confirmed that Matilda would be heading down under, to make its Australian première at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney. The show will preview through the end of July, 2015 and then open in August. Atop the books at the Sydney Media Launch – Photo by James Morgan Tim said: “Working on Matilda has been one of the greatest thrills of my life, and I’ve been aching to let her loose on audiences at home.

Most of us grew up reading Dahl – the Australian sense of humour gels so well with his dark, iconoclastic tone. The last time a musical I helped write opened in Sydney, the actors almost outnumbered the audience, the theatre leaked, and my drummer was a bass player. If Matilda’s arrival is half as fun as that was, it’ll be a hoot.” At the media launch in October, 2014, Tim gave a speech and performed songs from the show, including When I Grow Up. Clips and more images from the event can be found in the Video and Photos sections below. March 2015 saw the announcement of four of the principal adult cast members: (in alphabetical order) Marika Aubrey (Mrs Wormwood), Daniel Frederiksen (Mr Wormwood), Elise McCann (Miss Honey) and James Millar (Miss Trunchbull). Then, a month later, the four young actresses who’ll share the title role in the Australian Premiere Season of Matilda The Musical were announced: (in alphabetical order) Molly Barwick, Sasha Rose, Georgia Taplin and Bella Thomas. They spend the day of the announcement travelling around Sydney in a Matilda branded London taxicab!

(see Photos) To celebrate the fast approaching opening night, Tim guest edited The Sydney Morning Herald’s Spectrum on Saturday 23rd July, 2015, writing this article: Tim Minchin: I’m bringing Matilda the Musical home detailing some of the twists and turns in his life and career that led to him writing the music and lyrics for Matilda. Tim’s cover shot can be found in the Photos section below. Opening Night in Sydney, Australia Thursday 20th August, 2015, Tim attended the star-studded official Opening Night of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Australian production of Matilda The Musical, at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. Tim and Dennis Kelly join the Sydney curtain call on Opening Night. Photo by James Morgan Red Carpet smiles from Dennis Kelly, Tim and the Sydney Matildas. Photo by James Morgan. The stunning reviews flew in – you can read them in the Quotes/Reviews section below. Melbourne In October 2015 it was announced that Matilda would be heading to Melbourne’s Princess Theatre in March of the following year.

The four leading ladies, who would be joining the full Original Australian Adult cast from Sydney to play the eponymous hero, were announced in the November as Dusty Bursill, Tiana Mirra, Alannah Parfett and Ingrid Torelli. Tim flew over from LA in time for the media call at the theatre on March 16th. Photo by James Morgan Opening Night in Melbourne, Australia Thursday 17th March, 2016, Tim attended the Melbourne Premiere of Matilda The Musical at the Princess Theatre with his family. He joined the cast on stage for the bows where they received a standing ovation. Tim with mother Ros Minchin, wife Sarah and father David Brisbane and Perth In the week running up to the Melbourne Opening Night it was announced that Matilda would be swinging across the country to Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre at QPAC in November 2016 and then playing at Perth’s Crown Theatre from February 2017. Along with the latest news, dedicated social media links and more, there’s a waitlist for Brisbane and Perth tickets now at matildathemusical.com.au . Back to the top of this page!

Chapter Five: Toronto, Canada In March 2016 the search began for the Toronto cast for the only production of Matilda in Canada. Performances will begin Tuesday July 5th at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, with the media night scheduled for Thursday, July 7th at 6:45pm. Tickets and further information can be found here . Wonder what the next turn of the page will bring… The West End Matildas: Eleanor Worthington Cox, Cleo Demetriou, Kerry Ingram and Sophia Kiely Crunchem Hall Uniforms – photo by Manuel Harlan The company in rehearsals – photo by Manuel Harlan Opening Night on Thursday 24th November, 2011.

Taken in the Cambridge theatre foyer and at the after-party: (All five by Dan Wooller ) Bertie Carvel (Miss Trunchbull) and Tim Tim and Sarah Minchin Cleo Demetriou, Eleanor Worthington Cox, Kerry Ingram and Sophia Kiely (The four Matildas) The serious faces of Dennis Kelly, Kerry Ingram, Eleanor Worthington Cox, Tim, Cleo Demetriou, Matthew Warchus and Sophia Kiely Tim looks up to Michael Boyd (RSC Artistic Director) More photos of the evening can be found here .

Matthew Warchus, Tim and Michael Boyd at the 2012 Whatsonstage Awards Photographer: Dan Wooller for Whatsonstage.com Snazzy Tim on the red carpet at the Olivier Awards 2012 – photo by Helen Maybanks Bertie Carvel with his Best Actor in a Musical Olivier 2012 – photo by Helen Maybanks Tim and Dennis Kelly interviewed at the Olivier Awards 2012 – photo by Helen Maybanks Tim in the media spotlight at the Olivier Awards 2012 – photo by Helen Maybanks The triumphant Matildas at the Oliviers 2012: L-R Sophia Kiely, Eleanor Worthington Cox, Kerry Ingram, Cleo Demetriou – photo by Helen Maybanks Guinness World Records 2013 book – Matilda The Musical – Most Laurence Olivier award wins Theatre Signs going up on Broadway’s Shubert Theatre, September 2012 Opening night on Broadway, 11th April 2013. Tim faces the media. Photo by Ellie Kurttz Opening night on Broadway, 11th April 2013. Dennis Kelly and Tim answer to the press.

Photo by Ellie Kurttz More photos of the evening can be found on the RSC’s Facebook page here . Sydney Media Launch, October 2014 – Photo by James Morgan The Sydney Matildas – Molly Barwick, Sasha Rose, Georgia Taplin and Bella Thomas Australian Matildas with their London taxicab. Sydney Harbour bridge in the background. Photo by James Morgan Tim guest edited the Sydney Morning Herald and wrote the article: I’m bringing Matilda the Musical home . Here’s his cover shot: Photo courtesy of the Sydney Morning Herald – smh.com.au Matilda’s US Tour opening night, at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, on June 7th 2015: Tim and Sarah Minchin arrive for the opening night performance. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging) Bryce Ryness (Miss Trunchbull) and Tim during the US Tour opening night party. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging) (L-R Front) The Matildas – Gabby Gutierrez, Mabel Tyler and Mia Sinclair Jenness with (L-R Back) Lucy Dahl and Tim during the US Tour opening night party.

(Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging) The Matilda The Musical US Tour company pose during the party for the opening night performance. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging) Opening Night in Australia, at the Sydney Lyric Threatre, on Thursday 20th August, 2015: Tim and Sarah Minchin on the red carpet. (Photo by James Morgan) Tim strikes the Matilda pose. (Photo by James Morgan) Multiple red carpet smiles from Tim and young members of the cast. (Photo by James Morgan) Tim & Dennis Kelly join the cast on Sydney Opening Night’s Matilda pose curtain call. (Photo by James Morgan) Tim, Dennis Kelly and the Australian Matildas walk the red carpet on the way to the after-party. (Photo by James Morgan) Melbourne Media Call, March 16th 2016: L-R Elise McCann (Miss Honey), Daniel Frederiksen (Mr Wormwood), Tim (Tim), Marika Aubrey (Mrs Wormwood) Photo by James Morgan Photo by James Morgan Opening Night in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday 17th March, 2016, at the Princess Theatre: (Photos by James Morgan) Tim with the principal cast at the Melbourne Premiere.

Tim & Eddie Perfect Videos First, a couple of interviews, filmed in April 2010, featuring Tim and the writer Dennis Kelly: In the first Tim talks about how he became involved with Matilda, what the project means to him and how he’s approached it musically. In the second Tim and Dennis discuss the script and the writing process, the influence of Quentin Blake’s illustrations and how they worked to be true to Dahl’s writing. Behind the scenes insights at the July 2010 Workshops and Christopher Nightingale the musical supervisor and orchestrator talking with Tim about job titles/roles, and preparing to perform the show for a small audience of children and adults. This first video trailer, released in September 2010, featuring some of the instrumental score written by Tim, was the first opportunity to hear some of the music. Early November 2010, just before the first preview to the public, the RSC made this video showing footage of the kids in rehearsals. The audio is the demo of “When I Grow Up”, the first song that Tim finished and showed Dennis Kelly, Matthew Warchus and Chris Nightingale in May 2009.

A second trailer was released in November 2010 during the previews, featuring Miss Trunchbull *gulp* telling us about RULES. with further tantalising snippets of Tim’s music. This was updated with the new artwork and title in May 2011, as the London West End transfer was announced: Tim, Matthew Warchus and Dennis Kelly talked to the Telegraph about creating Matilda The Musical in September 2011: As the Cambridge Theatre was being transformed in September 2011, Tim and Dennis Kelly popped in to take a look and to ask each other questions posed by fans of the show in Twitter. Here’s Part 1: Still at the Cambridge Theatre in September 2011, Dennis and Tim continue interviewing each other and sniggering.

Part 2: Opening Night at the Cambridge Theatre on Thursday 24th November 2011: Performance footage and photos intercut with short interviews with members of the cast, the creative team and guests at the event: A montage of clips filmed, in 2011, at the Cambridge Theatre in London’s West End: In April 2013, Tim attended the Olivier Awards ceremony, at which, in 2012 Matilda triumphed, winning a record-breaking SEVEN awards! He presented the award for Best New Musical and performed ‘My House’ from the show: The US trailer for Matilda The Musical on Broadway: Tim, Dennis, other members of the creative team and Lauren Ward, who’s reprising her role as Miss Honey in New York, talk about Matilda’s journey to Broadway: Opening night at the Shubert Theatre, on Broadway, on the 11th April 2013.

Audience reactions and brief interviews with Tim, Dennis Kelly and members of the cast: A full 30 minute episode of Theater Talk featuring Matilda The Musical, talking to Tim, Dennis Kelly and actor Bertie Carvel: Bertie Carvel ‘interviews’ Tim at the Drama Desk Awards: Tim collecting his Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for Favorite Song: ‘When I Grow Up’: Tim talking about writing the music and lyrics for ‘When I Grow Up’ before performing the song: Matilda The Musical‘s 1000th Performance at The Cambridge Theatre attracted a host of stars: As part of the Australian launch in October 2014, Tim talks to the ABC’s Adrian Raschella about the success of the stage production: Matilda The Musical Australia – Sydney Media Launch Matilda Broadway – #WhenIGrowUp music video Tim and the Sydney Matildas perform ‘Naughty’ on the Today show In celebration of 1,000 performances of Matilda on Broadway, SiriusXM and Entertainment Weekly radio hosted a Conversation with Tim, moderated by Jessica Shaw.

The show included a some special performances, including Tim singing ‘When I Grow Up’ with Bailey Ryon: Again, for the celebration of 1,000 performances of Matilda on Broadway, Tim accompanied Bailey Ryon as she sang ‘Naughty’: The Australian “Dennis Kelly adapts Roald Dahl’s story to the stage with brilliant new details, and Tim Minchin has loads of room for songs with bold, springy rhythms and razor-sharp lyrics that make you want to punch the air with delight. It’s a stylistically supple score, with exhilarating colour and ­energy matched by ­moments of deeply affecting tenderness…” Stage Noise “Matilda the Musical is that rare thing: a show that’s genuinely for all the family. It’s altogether remarkable and brilliantly realised.” “…lyricist and composer Tim Minchin and book writer Dennis Kelly have turned it into a spectacularly witty, intelligent and irresistible show that engages at every turn.” “All in all, Matilda the Musical is the treat you and yours have been waiting for if you’ve been waiting for an intelligent, beautiful, funny, sad and ultimately triumphant delivery of Australian musical theatre talent.

Not to be missed.” The Sunday Telegraph “Matilda is one of the most thrilling new musicals of recent years: a show that isn’t afraid to be dark, sophisticated or smart, while at the same time pulsing with a gloriously funny streak of child-like, anarchic naughtiness.” “Matilda is a gem of a show with a wonderful heart and message about standing up to bullies and fighting for what is right. It’s also a love letter to joy of words.

Pure magic.” The Washington Post Peter Marks says “‘Matilda’ [is] by some large and tickling measure the most splendiferous new musical of the year…” “With a delectably clever score by Tim Minchin and a slyly evocative book by Dennis Kelly, the musical, is distinguished by its wonderful look and a caliber of choreography for young people you rarely ever experience.” Chicago Tribune Chris Jones hails the production as “far and away the best new musical of the Broadway season, indeed one of the best family-oriented shows of any season” and describes Tim’s score as “remarkably rich, occasionally anthemic” singling out “a simple, gorgeous Tim Minchin song, ‘When I Grow Up.’ “ Time Magazine Richard Zoglin proclaims Matilda “the wondrous new musical from London that has just arrived on Broadway. It would be easy to call it the best British musical since ‘Billy Elliot’, but that, I’m afraid, would be underselling it.

You have to go back to ‘The Lion King’ to find a show with as much invention, spirit and genre-redefining verve.” and says “[Tim Minchin] has written a score that seems all but woven into the scenery—simple but distinctive tunes, intricate lyrics, a touch of jazz here, or wailing rock there, but all of a piece, integral to the show and like nothing else.” “Writer Dennis Kelly and composer and lyricist Tim Minchin go to the top of the class with this anarchically joyous, gleefully nasty and ingenious musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s story. It’s an evening of unadulterated bliss.” The Telegraph ***** “Hilarious, moving and magical. Dennis Kelly’s script actually improves and deepens Dahl’s original. Meanwhile, Aussie comedian Tim Minchin has come up with a smashing score that combines take-home melodies with delicious lyrical wit in songs that consistently develop both the plot and our understanding of the characters. A thrilling, warm-hearted production, which constantly combines comedy with a sense of wonder.” The Evening Standard ***** “Matilda is a gem…enchanting.

At the heart of this satisfyingly fresh adaptation of a cherished Roald Dahl story are Australian comedian Tim Minchin’s music and lyrics, which ooze humour…Dennis Kelly’s book switches smartly from grubby fun to a grown-up idiom. This generous, big-hearted piece is already being spoken of as one of the best new British musicals in years.” Time Out, London ***** “The RSC’s ‘Matilda’ is the best British musical in years. And it’s not just a kids’ show… It is guaranteed to delight anyone who’s ever been a child. Writer Dennis Kelly has enlarged Dahl’s book brilliantly, making ‘Matilda’…an upliftingly stageable story of collective rebellion… we have the mini-heroes of Year 1, rocking out and fighting for their right to be ‘a little bit naughty’. Tim Minchin’s catchy, satirical music and lyrics include a couple of spot-on anthems [and he] gives his Revolting Children a fantastic hackle-raising finale – but subtle songs like ‘When I Grow Up’, staged beautifully on swings, ensure there’s an achingly wistful conversation between childhood and adulthood along the way.

It’s smart, quirky and sublimely good fun.” The Telegraph ***** “Director Matthew Warchus, … brings the show to life with a buzzing vitality that proves irresistible…But the biggest laurels should go to Dennis Kelly, whose script has both deepened the emotion of Dahl’s story while adding loads of splendid jokes of his own, and Tim Minchin, the Aussie comedian, who has written the music and lyrics. The songs fizz with humour and great take-home melodies. Kelly and Minchin suddenly look like the brightest prospects for British musical theatre since Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.” WhatsOnStage.com ***** “Tim Minchin’s music and lyrics sparkle with wit and energy, demonstrating a touch of genius to rival that of the eponymous Matilda.

Complemented by Dennis Kelly’s book, they make up a piece which is by turns riotously funny and gut-wrenchingly poignant …, all brought vividly to life by Matthew Warchus’ masterful direction.” The Times ***** “Dennis Kelly’s adaptation grips from the start… Jokes and numbers come thick and fast…Tim Minchin’s lyrics, to his own music, are so good that the temptation to write them down could, at any point, make you miss some extraordinary sight.” The Independent **** “The Royal Shakespeare Company has struck gold with this wildly entertaining musical… Dennis Kelly’s clever adaptation and the witty, intricate songs by Aussie comic Tim Minchin create a new, improved version of Dahl’s story” “Matthew Warchus’s wondrously well-drilled production finds just the right balance between gleeful grotesque humour and heart-warming poignancy” Evening Standard ***** “The RSC’s new musical version of Roald Dahl’s Matilda is a triumph: enchanting, bold and ingenious… In Tim Minchin, it has found the perfect spur for a wildly tuneful reimagining… The Australian comedian has crafted a succession of witty songs: his lyrics are full of trickery, his melodies instantly winning.” “In this lovingly

 created show, Matilda’s magic positively sparkles.

There’s a cleverness in the writing which ensures that, while it appeals to children, there is plenty for adults to savour…it’s blissfully funny…There’s a playfulness throughout that proves intoxicating.” More quotes and reviews can be found here and here .

Winner UK: 2010 Critics’ Circle Award: The Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical (new or revival) (original Stratford-upon-Avon production) 2011 Theatre Awards UK – Best Musical Production (original Stratford-upon-Avon production) 2011 Theatre Awards UK – Best Performance in a Musical for Bertie Carvel (original Stratford-upon-Avon production) London: 2011 Evening Standard Theatre Awards – The Ned Sherrin Award for Best Musical 2012 SOBOM (Society of Box Office Managers) Awards – Best Musical 2012 WhatsOnStage Awards – Best New Musical for Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly 2012 WhatsOnStage Awards – Best Set Designer for Rob Howell 2012 WhatsOnStage Awards – Best Choreographer for Peter Darling 2012 WhatsOnStage Awards – The London Newcomer of the Year for Tim Minchin 2012 Olivier Awards – Best New Musical for Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge 2012 Olivier Awards – Best Actress in a Musical for Cleo Demetriou, Kerry Ingram Eleanor Worthington Cox & Sophia Kiely 20

12 Olivier Awards – Best Actor in a Musical for Bertie Carvel 2012 Olivier Awards – Best Director for Matthew Warchus 2012 Olivier Awards – Best Set Design for Rob Howells 2012 Olivier Awards – Best Sound Design for Simon Baker 2012 Olivier Awards – Best Theatre Choreographer for Peter Darling 2012 South Bank Sky Arts Awards – Best Theatre Award 2012 Group Leisure Awards – Best Theatre Production 2012 London Lifestyle Awards- Best Theatre Show 2012 Theatre_People Awards – Favourite Family Show for Matilda The Musical 2012 Broadway World: UK Awards – Best Direction of a Musical for Matthew Warchus 2012 Broadway World: UK Awards – Best Lighting Design for Hugh Vanstone 2012 Broadway World: UK Awards – Best Musical 2012 Broadway World: UK Awards – Best Musical Direction (West End) for Alan Berry/Bruce O’Neil 2012 Broadway World: UK Awards – Best Orchestrations for Christopher Nightingale 2013 SOBOM (Society of Box Office Managers) Awards – Best Musical 2013

 The Mousetraps (Mousetrap Theatre Projects) – Outstanding Female Performance – The Matildas 2014 WhatsOnStage Awards – Best West End Show US: 2013 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award – Best Musical 2013 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards – Favorite Breakthrough Performance for Bertie Carvel 2013 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards – Favorite Song: ‘When I Grow Up’ 2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards – Outstanding Book of a Musical for Dennis Kelly 2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards – Outstanding Set Design for Rob Howell 2013 Theatre World Awards – Best Debut Performance for Bertie Carvel 2013 Drama Desk Awards – Outstanding Musical 2013 Drama Desk Awards – Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for Bertie Carvel 2013 Drama Desk Awards – Outstanding Lyrics for Tim Minchin 2013 Drama Desk Awards – Outstanding Book of a Musical for Dennis Kelly 2013 Drama Desk Awards – Outstanding Set Design for Rob Howell 2013 BroadwayWorld.com Awards – Best Musical 2013 BroadwayWorld.com Awards – Best Book of a Musical for Dennis Kelly 20

13 BroadwayWorld.com Awards -Best Direction of a Musical for Matthew Warchus 2013 BroadwayWorld.com Awards – Best Lighting Design for Hugh Vanstone 2013 BroadwayWorld.com Awards – Best Scenic Design for Rob Howell 2013 Tony Awards – Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for Gabriel Ebert 2013 Tony Awards – Best Book of a Musical for Dennis Kelly 2013 Tony Awards – Best Scenic Design of a Musical for Rob Howell 2013 Tony Awards – Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Hugh Vanstone 2013 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre for the Matildas: Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro Australia: 2016 Helpmann Awards – Best Musical 2016 Helpmann Awards – Best Original Score in a Musical for Tim Minchin 2016 Helpmann Awards – Best Direction of a Musical for Matthew Warchus 2016 Helpmann Awards – Best Female Actor in a Musical for Molly Barwick, Dusty Bursill, Tiana Mirra, Alannah Parfett, Sasha Rose, Georgia Tap

lin, Bella Thomas and Ingrid Torelli 2016 Helpmann Awards – Best Male Actor in a Musical for James Millar 2016 Helpmann Awards – Best Choreography in a Musical for Peter Darling 2016 Helpmann Awards – Best Music Direction in a Musical for Stephen Amos 2016 Helpmann Awards – Best Sound Design in a Musical for Simon Baker 2016 Helpmann Awards – Best Scenic Design in a Musical for Rob Howell 2016 Helpmann Awards – Best Costume Design in a Musical for Rob Howell 2016 Helpmann Awards – Best Lighting Design for Hugh Vanstone 2016 Helpmann Awards – Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Daniel Frederiksen 2016 Helpmann Awards – Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Elise McCann Nominee UK: 2011 British Composer Awards – Best Stage Work for Tim Minchin 2011 Evening Standard Theatre Awards – Best Director for Matthew Warchus and Best Actor for Bertie Carvel 2012 WhatsOnStage Awards – Best Actress in a Musical for Cleo Demetriou, Kerry Ingram Eleanor Wor

thington Cox & Sophia Kiely 2012 WhatsOnStage Awards – Best Actor in a Musical for Bertie Carvel 2012 WhatsOnStage Awards – Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for Lauren Ward 2012 WhatsOnStage Awards – Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for Paul Kaye 2012 WhatsOnStage Awards – Best Director for Matthew Warchus 2012 Olivier Awards – Best Costume Design for Rob Howells 2012 Olivier Awards – Best Lighting Design for Hugh Vanstone 2012 Olivier Awards – Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Paul Kaye 2012 Broadway World: UK Awards – Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Gary Watson / Paul Kaye / Steve Furst 2012 Broadway World: UK Awards – Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Emily Shaw / Josie Walker / Lauren Ward / Melanie Le Barrie 2012 Broadway World: UK Awards – Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Bertie Carvel 2012 Broadway World: UK Awards – Best Leading Actress in a Musical for The Matildas 2013 WhatsOnStage Awards – Best West End Show 201

3 Olivier Awards – The BBC Radio 2 Audience Award US: 2013 Tony Awards – Best Musical 2013 Tony Awards – Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Tim Minchin 2013 Tony Awards – Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Bertie Carvel 2013 Tony Awards – Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for Lauren Ward 2013 Tony Awards – Best Direction of a Musical for Matthew Warchus 2013 Tony Awards – Best Choreography for Peter Darling 2013 Tony Awards – Best Orchestrations for Chris Nightingale 2013 Tony Awards – Best Costume Design of a Musical for Rob Howell 2013 Drama Desk Awards – Outstanding Director of a Musical for Matthew Warchus 2013 Drama Desk Awards – Outstanding Choreography for Peter Darling 2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards – Outstanding New Musical 2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards – Outstanding Choreographer for Peter Darling 2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards – Outstanding Actor in a Musical for Bertie Carvel 2013 Drama League Awards – Outstanding New

 Musical 2013 Drama League Awards – Distinguished Actor for Bertie Carvel 2013 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards – Favorite New Musical 2013 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards – Favorite Actor in a Musical for Bertie Carvel 2013 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards – Favorite Diva Performance for Bertie Carvel 2013 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards – Favorite Song: ‘Revolting Children’ 2013 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards – Favorite Song: ‘The Smell of Rebellion’ 2013 BroadwayWorld.com Awards – Best Score for Tim Minchin 2013 BroadwayWorld.com Awards – Best Choreography for Peter Darling 2013 BroadwayWorld.com Awards – Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Bertie Carvel 2013 BroadwayWorld.com Awards – Best Sound Design of a Musical for Simon N.

Baker 2014 Grammy Awards – Best Musical Theater Album 2010s - Roald Dahl Roald Dahl Overview Two musical adaptations of Roald Dahl's stories arrive onstage and the world celebrates Roald Dahl's 100th birthday Close -December 2010 Opening of The RSC's musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of a musical version of Roald Dahl's Matilda, written by Dennis Kelly with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, opens at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, UK, to great critical acclaim. The original Stratford cast included Bertie Carvel as Miss Trunchbull, Lauren Ward as Miss Honey and Paul Kaye and Josie Walker as Matilda's parents Mr and Mrs Wormwood. Adrianna Bertola, Josie Griffiths and Kerry Ingram, alternated as Matilda.

Find out more -October 2011 West End opening of The RSC's Matilda Just under a year after opening in Stratford-upon-Avon - and after a sell-out run - The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl's Matilda, transfers to London’s West End, opens at The Cambridge Theatre in October 2011. As in Stratford, the West End production of the show wins rave reviews and goes on to enjoy phenomenal success. Find out more -March 2012 Relocation of Roald Dahl's Writing Hut The contents of Roald Dahl’s famous Writing Hut, the place where he wrote many of his famous children's stories including The Witches , Matilda and James and the Giant Peach , is relocated from the gardens of Gipsy House to the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre . The structure of the Hut remains in its original location, but the building's entire interior is moved to the Museum, allowing visitors to get a glimpse inside for the very first time.

The exhibition includes Roald's original chair - with part of the back removed to accommodate an injury he sustained after his plane crashed in Libya during the Second World War - and the piece of board covered in green felt that he wrote his stories on. Find out more -1st February 2014 The 50th anniversary of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 1st February 2014 - the day on which Willy Wonka opened his famous Factory Gates in the original story - saw the kick-off of global celebrations in the 50th anniversary year of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . A range of events and new publishing is planned to celebrate this special occasion - from author Lucy Mangan's turn Inside the Chocolate Factory and the addition of Charlie as a Penguin Modern Classic (both released in September) to special events at Kew Gardens and Camp Bestival in the UK to the incredible Golden Ticket sweepstakes prizes for US visitors to this website, 2014 is sure to have one or more scrumdiddlyumptious treats to tempt you.

Question: Which musical, based on a children's novel, won seven Olivier Awards earlier this year, the most ever?
Answer: 'MATILDA, The Musical'